New Beijing bishop approved by Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI has approved the ordination of the new archbishop of Beijing, Joseph Li Shan.

UCA News reports that the archbishop was the choice of the Chinese Government.

The ceremony took place on Friday at Beijing's Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

The
Vatican's Archbishop Fernando Filoni said the installation is
"undoubtedly a positive sign" because it was recognised by both the
Vatican and China.

As the third-highest ranking Vatican
official, Archbishop Filoni is backup to the secretariat of state and a
long-time expert on China-Holy See relations.

He said: "We hope it is the first page of a ... new reality."

He
added that the problems in China-Holy See relations "are well known,
and have often been highlighted both by the Chinese side and by our
side: they are the conditions that they are asking and for which there
is a willingness and an openness (on our side)."

Neither the
Vatican nor China has revealed how papal approval for Bishop Li was
granted. However a highly placed source told UCA News in Rome that in
difficult situations, often the apostolic bull of appointment is not
sent but other means are used, such as a letter.